The American Empire: The Plan

Chapter Nine: Family Discussion

September 18, 2016 - St. Petersburg, Russia

"Can't you stay?"

America looked down to his daughter. "I have work to do."

Alaska looked to the door of the house, then back to America. "Just for a few days? I mean, you can't have that much work to do, and even if you did, you-"

"Rosabella." She stopped talking at her full name. "I said I don't have time."

The door opened, letting a burst of warm air wash over them. Russia stood just inside the doorway with a smile.

"Hello, Papa." Alaska hugged Russia before looking up to him with a smile.

"Hello, Rose. Why don't you both come in?"

America have the thought a moment before taking a breath and nodding. "Sure." The two walked through the door before Russia closed it.

"Why don't you go out your bag in your room?" Russia suggested.

Alaska nodded, turning and running into the next room to make her way to her room.
America watched her leave. His gaze was still fixed to the doorway after she was gone.

"Alfred."

America frowned at his name coming from the man in front of him. He turned back to Russia. "Have any plans?"

"I'm not sure," he said. "Perhaps we will just stay here." He smiled. "There's always room for another."

America gave him a smile. "Maybe Lithuania has some spare time."

Russia tilted his head. "No one else comes to mind?"

America let his head fall with a sigh. "Listen. I've got a lot of work to do. I can't just drop everything and-"

"Not even a single afternoon?"

America kept quiet for a moment, then longer. "Not this time," he said in a quieter voice.

"This time?"

His head picked up a bit an with it his eyes to look back to the Russian. "Not this time," he confirmed.

His head lifted up further as Russia's hand came to rest alongside America's cheek. He felt his thumb brush across his skin and kept himself from pulling away.

He watched Russia close the distance between them. Russia's eyes closed and America felt his lips on his. It felt wrong. This man with him right now, it wasn't right. But he had to do this.

He pulled on old memories, called them to the front of his mind. He put himself decades ago and pushed his emotions aside. America let his eyes close as his lips moved along with Russia's. The familiar feel felt so foreign to him.

A hand slipped over his shoulder, under his jacket. America pulled back, pulling his jacket back on. "Not here," he muttered.

He looked back to Russia and saw him smile. He turned away, back to the door. Just as he pulled it open, Russia pushed hand against it. "When will I see you again?"

"I don't know," he said spitefully.

"Call me?"

"Maybe." The infernal 'Call Me Maybe' song started running through his head and America cursed silently to himself.
He roughly pulled the door open and stepped outside, pulling the door closed. He briskly walked back to his car and got in.

September 19, 2016 - Seattle, Washington, United States

America sipped from the mug in his hand. Steam rose in front of him, the hot liquid seemed to scald the inside of his throat as he swallowed it. He paid little attention. He sat down at the office desk and turned on the computer monitor. Clicking on skype, America scrolled through his contacts before calling. The tone sang through the speakers for a minute before the other end picked up.

The screen froze for a moment before showing a boy. "Hi, Alfred."

"Hello, Javier." America put the mug down on the desk. "How are you guys doing?"

"Good," he said with a smile. "We're making friends."

A voice off screen said, "Is that Alfred?"

"Yeah." Texas waved the person over and New Mexico joined him.

"Hola, Alfred!"

"Hola, Monica. ¿Qué pasa?*"

"Casi nada. Y tú?**"

America shrugged his shoulders. "Where's Mary and Jared?"

"They're in the kitchen," New Mexico answered.

"Would you go get them? I want to talk to you all about something."

"I'll go get them!" New Mexico jumped up and disappeared from the screen.

America picked up his mug and took a sip before smiling at Texas. "What have you guys been doing?"

"Not much."

Three people joined Texas on the screen. Montana waved. "Hi, Alfred."

"Hi, Jared." He looked over each one before taking a deep breath and putting his mug back down. "Do you all know why you're in Africa?" America's asked them.

"Of course," Texas said immediately. "We're here to- uh."

The four kept silent for a minute as the three states looked between themselves.

"There's a plan to fix things," he started.

DC looked to him curiously. He knew she didn't approve of telling the others. But she wasn't in charge and quite frankly she wasn't very intelligent in these sort of matters.

"You four are there to build and retain relations with the people in the African countries."

"So, you want us to become friends with the countries here?" Texas asked.

"More than that, with the people themselves," America specified. "Make a good impression with the people. Be someone they can rely on."

New Mexico and Montana nodded their heads. "We're already on it," Texas said proudly.

America gave them a smile. "That's great."

"What is this for, exactly?" Montana asked.

"Peace," America answered. "A final answer to all of the chaos."

He smiled at that. "I like the sound of that."

"So do I."

New Mexico seemed to sniff the air before a panicked look came over her and she dashed out of the room. "Dinner's burning!" she shouted. Montana quickly ran after her.

"We should go and eat," DC said.

"If there's anythin' left," Texas joke with a grin.

"I'll let you guys go. You four, remember that you're a team over there. Mary, you're not in charge."

"Ha!" Texas called out. "Told ya'!"

DC frowned. "Fine fine."

"I'll talk to you guys soon."

They both rushed to say good-bye as America ended the call. A few bloops sounded before the screen closed.

I'm really sorry that chapters are getting shorter.